Paint and Nectar

 

Back Cover

In 1929, a spark forms between Eliza, a talented watercolorist, and William, a charming young man with a secret that could ruin her career. Their families forbid their romance because of a long-standing feud over missing heirloom silver. Still, Eliza and William's passion grows despite the barriers, causing William to deeply regret the secret he's keeping...but setting things right will come at a cost.

In present-day Charleston, a mysterious benefactor gifts Lucy Legare an old house, along with all the secrets it holds - including enigmatic letters about an antique silver heirloom. Declan Pinckney, whom Lucy's been avoiding since their disastrous first date, is set on buying her house for his family's development company. As Lucy uncovers secrets about the house, its garden, and the silver, she becomes more determined than ever to preserve the historic Charleston property, not only for history's sake but also for her own.

Review

Paint and Nectar is a beautifully written time-slip novel with several stories artfully woven together. I loved the little mysteries, the peeling back of layers of timelines and secrets to the answers within. It reminded me a little of the Nancy Drew mysteries whereby the heroine discovers the truth one little clue at a time, creating many delightful "Aha!" moments. I didn't realize at first that Paint and Nectar was book two in the "Heirloom Secrets" series, but not having read the first novel, The Dress Shop on King Street, didn't detract from my full enjoyment of this story. Ashley Clark has crafted a wonderful historical romance with strong themes of faith and restoration that has easily become one of my favourite reads of 2021. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Yours is the Night

 

Back Cover

The trenches of the Great War are a shadowed place. Though Platoon Sergeant Matthew Pettigrew arrived there with a past long marked by shadow, the realities of battle bring new wounds - carving within him a longing for light, and a resolve to fight for it.

One night, Matthew and his comrades are enraptured by a sound so pure, a voice so ethereal, it offers reprieve - even if only for a moment. Soon, rumors sweep the trenches from others who have heard the lullaby too. "The Angel of Argonne," they call the voice: a mysterious presence who leaves behind wreaths on unmarked graves.

Raised in the wild depths of the Forest of Argonne, Mireilles finds her reclusive world rocked when war crashes into her idyllic home, taking much from her. When Matthew and his two unlikely companions discover Mireilles, they must embark on a journey that will change each of them forever...and perhaps, at long last, spark light into the dark.

Review

I could sum up this review in one word and end it there: captivating. Truly, it is. With a breathtaking prose, Amanda Dykes immerses the reader in a haunting tale during the heartbreaking era of World War I where everyone was touched in some way by pain and loss. 

It is a clashing of worlds as war and death land at the doorstep of sweet, innocent Mireilles, putting her trust in young Matthew to take her to safety. The story is told from multiple viewpoints creating a stain-glassed window effect into the one story that's being shared. It allows the reader to see how each character is affected individually through their own past experiences, giving them different coloured lens to view the world around them.

Diving into an Amanda Dykes' novel is always a treat, and it's hard to believe that she's a fairly new author. Yours is the Night is the story of ages, as the words etched across the pages evoke deep emotion like no other. The rich characters and touching story will leave a lasting mark on any reader who dares to take this voyage into a land of love, loss, and faith. I cannot wait for the author's next masterpiece!

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

A Warrior's Heart

 Back Cover

Brielle Durand is still haunted by the massacre that killed her mother a dozen years before. Vowing to never let it happen again, she's risen to be the key defender for her people's peace-loving French settlement living in hidden caves in the Canadian Rockies. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret home, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. But now, what to do with this man who insists he can be trusted?

Hoping to escape past regrets, Evan MacManus ventured into the unknown, assigned to discover if the northern mountains contain an explosive material that might help America win the War of 1812. Despite being taken prisoner, Evan is determined to complete his mission. But when that assignment becomes at odds with his growing appreciation of the villagers and Brielle, does he follow through on his promise to his government or take a risk on where his heart is leaving him? Either choice will cause harm to someone.

Brielle and Evan must reconcile the warring in their hearts to have any hope of finding peace for their peoples.

Review

Misty M. Beller has created a fascinating and unique premise for her new series, "Brides of Laurent" - a secret colony hidden away in the mountains with it's inhabitants living nearly undetected for many years. (In fact, there are times in this crazy world that the idea of living off-grid with all your friends and family sounds rather appealing!)

One of my favourite aspects about this novel is the bright cord of faith woven through the pages. Brielle and Evan are both strong believers, and it is evident in their story. There isn't just a passing reference to their beliefs - their faith is part of who they are and how they respond to new situations. I really appreciated this as I find more and more, even in "Christian" novels, sometimes it feels like you have to squint really hard and tilt your head at a funny angle in order to see any remote connection to Christianity. Bravo to the author for being bold in this regard!

I found the story very interesting and the characters compelling. I would have liked to see some more climatic elements to help carry along the pacing of the novel at a good clip as it lagged a little in some points, but overall, A Warrior's Heart is a satisfying historical read. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

The Nature of Small Birds

 

Back Cover

In 1975, three thousand children were airlifted out of Saigon to be adopted into Western homes. When one of those children announces her plans to return to Vietnam to find her birth mother, her loving adopted family is suddenly thrown back to the events surrounding her unconventional arrival in their lives.

Mindy's father grapples with the tension between holding on tightly and letting his daughter spread her wings. Her mother undergoes the emotional roller coaster inherent in the adoption of a child from a war-torn country, discovering the joy hidden amid the difficulties. And Mindy and her sister struggle to find the strength to accept each other as they both discover who they truly are.

Told through three distinct voices in three compelling timelines, The Nature of Small birds is a hopeful story that explores the meaning of family far beyond the genetic code.

Review

Absolutely incredible. Susie Finkbeiner has created a literary feast for the senses in this emotional tale. I loved how she told Mindy's story through the eyes of Mindy's adoptive mother (Linda), father (Bruce), and one of her sisters (Sonny), deftly picking three distinct and telling time period for each narrative. The interweaving of voices create a beautiful patchwork of a loving family, all trying in their own ways to ensure Mindy feels loved, wanted, and belonged in an often hurtful world.

The author literally drops the reader right in the middle of the stories, allowing the reader to feel like a fly on the wall to this family's tale. The approach is effective, and through Linda, we learn of the struggles of adopting a child from Vietnam in 1975, where prejudices run rampant in the country, their small town, and even in their own family. Sonny invites the reader into the lives of her and her teenaged sister in 1988 as they navigate high school and first loves. Bruce unpacks 2013 with the revelation Mindy wants to embark on a journey of discovery to find her birth mother. It is a lot to pull together into merely one novel, and I admit, I was so captivated by the story, it was rather sad reading the final chapter - if only there was a sequel! 

The Nature of Small Birds is a thought-provoking story that I heartily recommend.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Along a Storied Trail

 

Back Cover

Kentucky packhorse librarian Tansy Calhoun doesn't mind the rough trails and long hours as she serves her Appalachian mountain community during the Great Depression.  Yet she longs to find love like the heroines in the books she loves. When a charming writer comes to town, she thinks she might have found it - or is the perfect man actually closer than she thinks?

Perdita Sweet has called these mountains home for so long that she's nearly as rocky as the soil around her small cabin. Long ago she thought she could love, but when the object of her affection up and married someone else, she stopped giving too much of herself away to others.

As is so often the case, it's easier to see what's best for others than to see what's best for oneself. Perdita knows who Tansy should choose, but why would anyone listen to the romantic advice of an old spinster?

Review

In true Ann H. Gabhart fashion, Along a Storied Trail is a beautifully penned story about a community of people as strong and resilient as the mountains they inhabit. For these hill-born folks, they are no stranger to hardships. Death comes far too frequent and sudden, often in the most tragic of ways. Each day can be a test of survival whether it be a fight against illness, sorrow, hunger, or the inclement weather. But amongst these trials is a yearning for love and belonging. 

Tansy has long oft dreamed of a husband and family to call her own. She's watched her older sister and other young people in the region fall in love, exchange wedding vows, and raise their families. Some stay in the hill country they were born in, but others, like Tansy's sister, left for the city. When the dashing city reporter, Damien comes to town in his flashy automobile, Tansy feels the tug of adventure and desire to explore places bigger than she'd ever known. But she loves her community and her family and the rugged forests she traverses on her daily packhorse routes. And she thrives in her job whereby she brings smiles and good to cheer to all on her book route with her gifts of books to read. But along with Damien's appearance is another man from her past, one who opens up other possibilities she had long since buried. Along a Storied Trail explores Tansy's fears, hopes, and dreams and pulls in not one, but two other endearing love stories. 

I have long been a fan of Ms. Gabhart's novels and her beautiful writing style. She creates places I wish I could explore, and people I would love to meet. It's always bittersweet closing the final page on her novels; bitter in that it's the end of that particular wonderful story, but all too sweet with anticipation for the next one that will be written. Pick up Along a Storied Trail, and you will enjoy a lovely historical tale of love lost and found.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Winning the Gentleman

 

Back Cover

Aaron Whitworth hasn't had control over most aspects of his life, but he's always taken pride in being an honourable businessman and better-than-average horseman.  When both of those claims are threatened, he makes the desperate decision to hire the horse trainer of a traveling circus as a temporary jockey for his racehorses.

Sophia Fitzroy knows that most horseman don't take her seriously because she's a woman, but she can't pass up the opportunity to get away from the tumultuous world of travel and performing.  As she fights for the right to do the work she was hired for, she learns the fight for Aaron's guarded heart might be an even worthier challenge.

As secrets come to light, will Aaron and Sophia's past vulnerabilities be an insurmountable stumbling block, or will they sacrifice their former dreams and forge a new one together?

Review

I'm so thrilled that Aaron finally has his story! He's be a strong supporting character in many of previous novels by Kristi, and deserved to have a full-length novel about him. And what can be better than a story revolving around magnificent horses, a brave heroine, and an honourable hero?  I loved every piece of this story and found it incredibly hard to put down (even eliciting a comment from my husband, "Wow, you're addicted!"). Being an horse enthusiast, I fell in love with the setting surrounding beautiful Thoroughbreds, the intense world of horse racing, and beginnings of the dressage discipline. 

The juxtaposition of Aaron's quiet, composed character with that of the chatty and vibrant Sophia was equally humorous and swoon-worthy as their budding romance developed. I giggled and sighed my way throughout their story and loved how the author weaved in faith into each page, allowing the characters to grow, and not remain stagnant. 

Winning the Gentleman is such a fun story and a wonderful addition to the "Hearts on the Heath" series. I'm really hoping that Lord Rigsby and Miss Hancock also get their own stories.  Is it possible one of their characters will be the protagonist in the next book? Will have to wait until next year to find out! 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

To Find Her Place

 

Back Cover

Can they find their way to the right future 

amid the uncertainty that faces them?

In the midst of WWII, Jane Linder pours all her energy and dreams for a family into her career at the Toronto Children's Aid Society. As acting directress, Jane hopes for a permanent appointment so she can continue making a difference in the lives of children. But if the board were to find out she is divorced, everything would change.

Garrett Wilder has been hired to overhaul operations at the Children's Aid Society and investigate a report of misused funds. He hopes to impress the board members with his findings and earn the vacant director's position. A war injury ended his dream of taking over his parents' farm, but with the security of the director's job, he'd be able to contribute financially and help save the family business.

Despite their competing interests and Garrett's early suspicions, a friendship grows and feelings begin to blossom. But then Jane receives an unexpected opportunity that could fulfill her deepest desires, she finds herself at a crossroads. Can she discern the path to true happiness?

Review

This was a beautiful, albeit, heart-rending story that revolves around loss.  Loss of children, spouse, health, etc. Life is meaningful and wonderful, but as To Find Her Place aptly describes, we can encounter many trials and times of despair along the way.  

Jane and Garrett both suffered through enormous loss and relied heavily on their faith and family to pull them through. And now they are chasing after the same goal.  From the outward appearance, they are both vying for the position of directorship of the Toronto Children's Aid Society. Indirectly, they are both seeking recognition and acceptance in the eyes of their peers. The position provides them both with an opportunity to visibly overcome the obstacles they've faced in their lives and also be involved in providing meaningful futures for children in need.

I was swept along in Jane's and Garrett's stories. They are characters you cheer on from the sidelines, hoping against hope they achieve their dreams...and find love along the way of course! The author did a great job in making the characters' journeys fraught with difficulties which made me wonder if there would actually be a happy ending! I won't spill the beans other than to say, you must read the story in order to find out - you'll be glad you did! It's a fantastic continuation of the "Redemption's Light" series and a truly wonderful story.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

A Lady in Attendance

 

Back Cover

Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name.  So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watt's lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias.  In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.

As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can't help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye.  Can the questions that look between them ever be answered? Or will the deed of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?

Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man and a hardened woman, as well as the friends who stand by them, as they work toward a common purpose - to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving - and perhaps find love along the way.

Review

This is the first book I've read of Rachel Fordham's, but it won't be my last! She has penned a tender tale of redemption and love in the lives of the out-going Hazel and shy Gilbert. What really struck me the most about their relationship was how very respectful they acted towards one another - something that I find sorely lacking in society. It was refreshing reading their interactions and how they always strove to put the other ahead of themselves. 

The other surprising element for me was the suspense and intrigue! I thought this was going to be a sweet historical romance, but it is so much more. For a large chunk of the back end of the book, it is quite the wild ride of danger and mystery that really spiced up the story in a fantastic way.

Finishing the story made me want more, so you can be sure I'll be checking out other published works by Ms. Fordham!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

The Nature of a Lady

Back Cover

Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair, with her love of microscopes and nature, isn't favored in society.  She flees to the beautiful Isles of Scilly for the summer and stumbles onto the dangerous secrets left behind by her holiday cottage's former occupant, also named Elizabeth, who mysteriously vanished.

Oliver Tremayne - gentleman and clergyman - is determined to discover what happened to his sister, with the help of the girl now living in what should have been Beth's summer cottage...especially when he realizes it's the curious young lady he met briefly two years ago, who shares his love of botany and biology.  But the hunt for his sister involves far more than nature walks, and he can't quite believe all the secrets Beth had been keeping from him.

As Libby and Oliver work together they uncover ancient legends, pirate wrecks, betrayal, and the most mysterious phenomenon of all: love.

Review

Roseanna M. White is one of my favourite authors, and she does not disappoint with The Nature of a Lady, the first novel in her brand new series, "The Secrets of the Isles". First off, I have to say the cover is absolutely GORGEOUS! Kudos to the design department for pulling together such a beautiful cover!

The mystery and intrigue I came to know and love in two of the author's previous series, "Shadows over England" and "The Codebreakers", shine through in this new adventure story revolving around pirates, hidden treasure, and lost love. Libby's character is incredibly endearing as she struggles to stay true to the pursuit of her own dreams despite the society and family pressures dictating otherwise. Oliver becomes a safe harbor for her - someone who shares her scientific passions and encourages those within her, as opposed to stifling. 

The storyline was incredibly fun and adventurous more characters enter into the fray in a single-minded pursuit of long-lost treasure. The author intricately wove a thread of suspense throughout the pages, keeping the tension taut until the final chapter. There were a number of plot twists and surprises along the way that were fantastic. Loved this novel and cannot wait to read the next instalment in the series!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor

 

Back Cover

Foxglove Manor would twist its way into your soul until one day it owned you, and it called to you, and it didn't cease haunting you until you came back.

In 1885, Adria Fontaine has been sent away from her home to recover goods her malevolent father pirated on the Great Lakes during the Civil War.  Hoping to find freedom away from her father, Adria arrives at Foxglove Manor - a stone house on a cliff overlooking Lake Superior - but senses only wickedness hovering over the property.  The mistress of Foxglove is an eccentric and seemingly cruel old woman who has filled her house with dangerous secrets, ones that may cost Adria her life.

Centuries later, Kailey Gibson takes on a position as a nurse's aide at a senior home in a renovated old stone manor. Abducted as a child, she has nothing but locked-up memories of secrets and death, overshadowed by the chilling threat from her kidnappers that they may return. When the residents of Foxglove start sharing stories of whispers in the night, hidden treasure, and a love willing to kill, it becomes clear this home is far from a heaven.

As the sinister mysteries of Foxglove Manor haunt two women separated by time, they will have to risk it all to banish the past's demons - including their own.

Review

It took me a couple chapters to sink my teeth into this meaty novel, but once I did, I was carried along a fantastical journey revolving around ghost stories, tales of hidden treasure, and two heroines battling the demons of their past. Though separated by centuries, both Adria and Kailey end up searching for the same thing: hidden treasure.  For Adria, she is faced with immense shame and heartache over a tragic decision, and feels doing her father's evil doing will be the only way to redeem herself. She begins a search for missing gold at Foxglove Manor, but is rebuffed at every turn.  No one seems to know anything...or is doing a very good job of hiding the truth.  

Kailey has determined once and for all to find out the mystery behind her childhood kidnapping and returns to the place that started it all. Through hidden messages and whispered secrets, she begins to realize there is more than meets the eye at Foxglove Manor. And the threats are still all too real.

On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor is another mysterious split-time novel by the wonderful Jaime Jo Wright. I must admit that the ending too me by surprise!  I did NOT see that one coming!  I love the twist, but most of all, I love how even while the story starts in darkness, the author doesn't shy away from shining the light of faith through it all. Faith is the undercurrent across the pages, bringing richness and depth to the story, and leaving a lasting impression upon the reader.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Night Fall

 

Back Cover

For any little boy or girl who hears the Train Man speak,

Who feels his rancid breath caress their pretty cheek,

Must close their eyes, pretend to sleep, and very softly pray,

Or else the evil Train Man may carry them away.

Finally free of her troubled upbringing, Alex Donovan is able to live out her childhood dream of working for the FBI. But soon after she becomes a member of FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, authorities in Missouri contact them about bodies found on freight trains - all killed in the same way.

Alex never expected to be forced to confront her past in this new job, but she immediately recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving on the train cars.  When the BAU sends her to gather information about the messages from her aunt in Wichita, Kansas, Alex is haunted by the struggles she thought she'd left behind forever.

In a race against time to solve4 the case and recover a deadly virus sample the killer intends to spread, Alex must face how far she'll go - and what she's willing to risk - to put a stop to the Train Man.

Review

Night Fall is...certifiably creepy. I was super excited for a new Christian crime novel - a chance to cheer on the good guys while they chase down the bad ones while also showing growth in faith. But I struggled with this one. I had picked up this book many times to start it, but had to put it back down for something different as I couldn't get past the first few pages. While I'm a huge fan of suspense novels, this one set me on edge, and not in a thrill-seeking way. By diving in deep into the depraved Train Man's mind, you learn more of his story of growing up in a perverted cult and having absolutely terrible parents. It creates somewhat of an understanding of how he came to be, but the double-edged sword is that you have to read through a whole lot of darkness to get to that point. This certainly isn't a lighter police procedural drama like "Castle", but a dark and twisted ride without a whole lot of light at the end of the tunnel. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Come Back to Me

 

Back Cover

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? 

Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them.  But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions.  He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight, comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection...as his wife.  The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.

Review

The year 2021 keeps getting better and better when it comes to good reads.  Come Back to Me has vaulted itself to the top of my "Favourites" list for this year! It has everything you could possible want in a time-travel novel: rich historical detail, swoon-worthy romance, multi-faceted characters, and a fully engaging story that caused me to stay up waaay too late one night in order to finish! I love, love this novel. Marian is a worthy heroine: strong, independent, and stubborn, who works tirelessly seeking only for the good of her family. Will is handsome and broody, a chivalrous knight with a dark and troubled past. Together, they set each other's hearts on fire as they fall head over heels in love. However, Marion finds herself faced with an unbearable choice: save her sister who is suffering from an incurable disease, or stay with Will, her one heart's desire?

I'm so happy to see this book is the first part in a series!  I cannot wait for the next instalment to arrive in January 2022!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

A Tapestry of Light

 

Back Cover

In 1886 Calcutta, Ottilie Russell is adrift between two cultures, British and Indian, belonging to both and neither.  In order to support her little brother, Thaddeus, and her grandmother, she relies upon the skills in beetle-wing embroidery that have been passed down to her through generations of Indian women.

When a stranger named Everett Scott appears with news that Thaddeus is now Baron Sunderson and must travel to England to take his place as a nobleman, Ottilie is shattered by the secrets that come to light.  Despite her growing friendship with Everett, friend to Ottilie's English grandmother and aunt, she refuses to give up her bother.  Then tragedy strikes, and she is forced to make a decision that will take Thaddeus far from death and herself far from home.

But betrayal and loss lurk in England too, and soon Ottilie must fight to ensure Thaddeus doesn't forget who he is, as well as find a way to stitch a place for herself in a cold, foreign land.

Review

A Tapestry of Light is a sweeping historical novel that crosses two countries to bring a moving story of love, loss, faith, and belonging. In beautiful prose, the author tells the story of Ottilie Russell, who has encountered so much loss in her life that her faith is near shattered. For the sake of her younger brother, Thaddeus, she embarks on a journey to England where she is faced with racial prejudice from London society and her extended family. Feeling forced to forsake her heritage and familial connections, Ottilie begins a journey of finding herself and discovering her true worth.  She finds comfort within her talents in beetle-wing embroidery, a skill that had been passed down to her by her mother and grandmother. With each stitch, she brings herself one step closer to becoming socially independent and discovers that God isn't nearly as far away as she thought Him to be.

An absolutely beautiful story, A Tapestry of Light has become one of my all-time favourite novels. Highly recommend!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

A Dance in Donegal

Back Cover

All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish - that she become the teacher at Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.

After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Through a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends - and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced - as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of...but perhaps was meant to live.

Review

Jennifer Deibel literally picks up a reader and plunks them straight into the story, complete with rich descriptions of setting and characters. A Dance in Donegal has a sweet romance, but it isn't all that. The main story is about Moira finding herself and discovering the truth regarding the persistent mystery shrouding her mother's time in Donegal. Throughout the story, Moira's presence in Donegal is dogged by shadowy rumors and whispers of scandal surrounding her mother. While Moira truly wants to know the truth, while at the same time, she is apprehensive in learning of what the truth may be. What if it's truly scandalous? would it forever change her affections and memories towards her deceased mother? Through it all, she finds herself falling for the attractive local thatcher, Sean, who is quick to help her settle into her new role as schoolteacher in any way that he can.

With intriguing details about life in a small-town village in Ireland, A Dance in Donegal will appeal to lovers of historical fiction.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

When Twilight Breaks

 

Back Cover

Munich, 1938

Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession and to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line.  If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country - or worse.  If she does not report truthfully, she'll betray the oppressed and fail to wake up the folks back home.

Peter Lang is an American graduate student working on his PhD in German.  Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society.  But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party - to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.

As the world marches relentlessly toward war, Evelyn and Peter are on a collision course with destiny.

Review

Wow.  When Twilight Breaks is one of the best historical - and World World II - novels I have read - and I've read a lot!  It offers a fascinating storyline with compelling characters set in a very turbulent time in history.  In the story there were facts about the Nazi regime that I had never heard of before that especially highlighted the gradual tightening of control and oppression towards the Jewish people. The close censorship of news was eye-opening and the terror felt during that time was clearly expressed on the pages of this book.  A suspenseful and moving read, When Twilight Breaks is a must read for lovers of historical fiction.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

The Way It Should Be

Back Cover

After years of estrangement, the lives of Zara Mahoney and her twin sister, Eve, are suddenly intertwined again.  When Eve's troubled lifestyle causes the state to contract Zara about taking custody of Eve's two children, Zara feels wholly unprepared.  Besides never knowing she was an aunt, her new house, new husband, and plans for the future were meant to give her a fresh start.

Meanwhile, Eve may have a real chance at a new beginning with the help of Tiff Bradley, who, after facing a heartbreaking tragedy in her own family, is dedicated to helping women everyone has given up on.

Over the course of one summer, all three women's hearts and lives hang in the balance as Eve desperately works toward a new life.  Can they redefine their expectations of how life should be to find the hope they - and those they love - so desperately need?

Review

Christina Suzann Nelson has a remarkable talent for creating an original storyline and down-to-earth characters you really want to root for.  I loved her novel, More Than We Remember and equally enjoyed The Way it Should Be. I would never hesitate to buy one of her books!

This novel is an story about the lives of three different women and how through an interesting turn of events, they become intricately connected.  Zara, Eve, and Tiff have all encountered tragedy, and are going through hardships that have impacted or are currently impacting their immediate relationships. For Zara, she has been estranged from Eve for a number of years by her own choice. Eve feels trapped in the web of addiction, but desperately loves her children and wants only the best for them. Tiff walks through the depths of sorrow over the tragic loss of her daughter, causing a deep rift between her and her husband and son. You can't help but feel enormous empathy for each woman, especially realizing that their stories probably ring with more truth than fiction. 

One thing I really enjoyed was how the writer did the narrative of the story.  For two of the women, Zara and Tiff, it is written through third person narrative.  But for Eve, it is written through first person narrative through her journal entries.  It provided a unique style of writing to combine all points of views and provided a wonderful depth to the stories.

In all, I loved this story and can't wait to see more books from Christina!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Blackberry Beach

 

Back Cover

Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted - fame, money, and acclaim.  So why isn't she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she'll be able to clam the storm inside.

Coffee shop owner Zach Garrett has found his niche after a traumatic loss - and he has no plans to change the life he's created. Nor does he want to get involved with his reticent new neighbor, whose past is shrouded in mystery. But when Katherine and Zach are recruited to help rehab a home for foster children, sparks fly. As their lives begin to intersect, might they find more common ground than they expected...and discover that, with love, all things are possible?

Review

Blackberry Beach is another winning novel by Irene Hannon that treats the reader to not one, but two sweet romances. The main romance is the one between Katherine Parker and Zach Garrett. It comes as an unexpected surprise for both individuals when they find themselves hopelessly attracted to each other. The attraction turns into a swoon-worthy read as Katherine and Zach try to navigate a realm of "what-ifs" and "maybes" when it comes to the possibility of being together. 

Meanwhile, Zach's Aunt Stephanie, recently retired from the fast-paced corporate world, finds herself drawn to Frank, a kind, albeit, withdrawn widower who works in Zach's coffee shop. 

For both sets of couples, compromises would need to be made in order to give wings to the budding relationships. And therein lies a beautiful novel that I will read again and again. 

Irene Hannon's "Hope Harbor" series is such a breath of fresh air as each story brings the reader into a lovely seaside town full of wonderful people with big hearts for God and each other.  Irene is a master with the written words, creating characters with depth and realism, and a story that always warms the heart. I look forward to many more adventures in Hope Harbor.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Unknown Threat

 

Back Cover

US Secret Service Special Agent Luke Powell is lucky to be alive.  Three of his fellow agents have died in unusual circumstances in the past ten weeks.  Luke is devastated by the loss of his friends and colleagues, and his inability to locate the killer feels like a personal failure. He and his team are experts at shielding others, but now the protectors are in need of protection.

FBI Special Agent Faith Malone is driven to succeed and confident in her ability to solve every case she's assigned.  She's been put in charge of the investigation into the unprecedented attacks, and with Luke's life in danger, the stakes have never been higher.  But it's hard to know how to fight back when you don't know who the enemy is.

Luke has teamed up with Faith before, but he's not convinced she's up for the job and she's not convinced he's telling her everything he knows. As more agents are targeted, Luke and Faith will have to learn tot rust each other and work together to bring a killer to justice and prevent any more names from joining  their fallen brothers and sisters on the Secret Service Wall of Honor.

Review

Unknown Threat is a fast-paced thrill ride that doesn't let up until the final page. It was an intriguing look into the world of Secret Service Agents, and I never knew they had such a wide scope of duties! 

The author did a brilliant job of crafting a suspenseful story where it felt no one was safe from the assassin.  My only wish would be that there were a few more clues, or bread crumbs, along the way to hint at the ending. I felt like there was such a huge reveal at the climax that required a lot of explanation into the "who, what, why". Other than that, what a smashing start to the new "Defend and Protect" series for Lynn H. Blackburn.  I became a huge fan of hers with her "Dive Team Investigations" series and was pleasantly surprised over the inclusion of a few characters from that series in Unknown Threat. 

Looking forward to the second book in this series!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.